WASHINGTON – Construction employment declined in 162 out of 337 metro areas, including the Providence-Fall River-Warwick and the New Bedford metro areas, from June 2011 and June 2012, according to a report from the Associated General Contractors of America.

The Providence-Fall River-Warwick area lost 800, or 4 percent, of construction jobs during the year, dropping from 20,500 to 19,700 jobs in the metro area in June.

The New Bedford metro area lost 100 construction, mining and logging positions during the year, dropping the number of jobs 4 percent from 2,300 in June 2011 to 2,200 in June 2012.

According to Association officials, construction employment declined or remained stagnant in most metro areas as the public sector cut back on investments in new construction and infrastructure and economic growth slowed.

“The construction sector continues to shrink or stagnate in most metro areas as demand for new construction remains weak in too many places,” Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist said in a statement. “It is hard to see how the construction employment picture will improve significantly in the short term until the economy picks up more steam.”

Statewide, Rhode Island fared better than the Providence metro area, increasing its construction employment by 300 jobs, or 2 percent, from June 2011 to June 2012.

The Ocean State’s construction jobs increased from 16,500 in June 2011 to 16,800 in June 2012.

Statewide, Massachusetts lost 5 percent of its construction jobs over the year, dropping from 115,700 jobs in June 2011 to 110,300 in June 2012.

For the full Associated General Contractors of America report, visit www.agc.org.

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